Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Before beginning a tree clearing operation for public safety purposes, South Florida Water Management (SFWMD) staff is reaching out to residents along the
G-15 (New River) Canal in Broward County
to explain how the project will provide homes and businesses with maximum flood protection. Obstruction clearing is essential to protecting families and personal property as fallen trees can block canals, creating a severe flooding and causing damage after a heavy rain event.
On May 1, District
staff provided critical information to all property owners along the canal to about the project, while also providing a timeline for the clearing operation. Additionally, staff are personally visiting each property and meeting with owners to answer their questions. Lastly, a website has been created to provide updates to this specific project, as well as other tree clearing operations throughout the SFWMD's 16 counties.
The G-15 Canal tree clearing project is slated to begin in mid-June and continue for approximately 90 days. It affects the stretch of the canal from University Drive east to the East Holloway Canal. Canals are crucial to moving water before and after rain events to prevent flooding. For public safety purposes, canals must have an unobstructed 40-foot right of way on its banks.
By meeting with property owners and advising them as to what structures or trees pose a problem in the right of way, residents can make arrangements to relocate trees. Areas of the banks that are cleared of obstructions will also be beautified. This work is similar to the recently completed right-of-way clearing along the C-100A Canal in Miami-Dade County, where trees that posed a flood risk were removed, but canal banks were beautified.
Any questions about the project can be directed to SFWMD Regional Representative Lorraine Mayers at lmayers@sfwmd.gov or (954) 452-4814 ext. 4989 or Fort Lauderdale Field Station Superintendent Mike Worley at mworley@sfwmd.gov or (954) 452-4814 ext. 4821.
